Facing Foreclosure? Jersey City Nonprofit is Rolling Out Free Workshops

As we have reported, Jersey City — like the rest of the country — has been hit hard by the real estate bubble, and many families are facing foreclosure. As the recession wears on and unemployment remains high, even more people are teetering on the edge, worried about the security of their homes.

If you’re facing foreclosure or are worried about the possibility, you might be eligible for a new series of workshops being put together by the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation (JCECDC).

The workshops, which will begin within the next few weeks, will cover the foreclosure timeline in New Jersey, detailing what happens at each stage. The program will also help residents avoid foreclosure scams and eventually set attendees up with personalized one-on-one counseling from JCECDC.

John Restrepo, the director of JCECDC’s real estate division, says that there will be between 15 and 20 open spots in the workshops, which he hopes to run each month. The entire program is free of charge and open only to Jersey City residents who meet certain eligibility requirements, since it is being funded by a federal Community Service Block Grant.

The program is aimed at folks at all stages of the foreclosure process, whether your home has already been listed for a sheriff’s sale or if you are just beginning to fall behind on mortgage payments.

“We’re trying to cover the whole spectrum,” Restrepo says.

To find out more about the program or to see if you are eligible to register, call 201-209-9301, ext. 315 or email kharris@jcecdc.org. You must pre-register to participate; no walk-ins will be accepted.

co-founder of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.

Patricia L. Johnson

I would like to register for you foreclosureworkshop.

Anonymous

This is adding insult to injury, putting a bandaid on a bullet wound.How about stopping tax abatements to developers and lowering property taxes? That will prevent a lot of foreclosures.When I bought my house in Jersey City in 2002 my mortgage was $996 per month and my taxes were $1,968 per year or $164 per month extra on top of the mortgage payment.Now in 2011 my mortgage is still $996 per month but my taxes have been increased to $4,800 per year, or an additional $400 per month on top of my mortgage payment.That’s right…my property taxes have QUADRUPLED in less than 9 years.There’s the real cause of foreclosures. I bought within my means and can still honor the original payments I agreed to when I bought the house, but if the taxes go any higher, I will probably have to walk away from the property.Healy and the City Council should all be drawn and quartered for doing this to people in Jersey City.

Anonymous

This is adding insult to injury, putting a bandaid on a bullet wound.How about stopping tax abatements to developers and lowering property taxes? That will prevent a lot of foreclosures.When I bought my house in Jersey City in 2002 my mortgage was $996 per month and my taxes were $1,968 per year or $164 per month extra on top of the mortgage payment.Now in 2011 my mortgage is still $996 per month but my taxes have been increased to $4,800 per year, or an additional $400 per month on top of my mortgage payment.That’s right…my property taxes have QUADRUPLED in less than 9 years.There’s the real cause of foreclosures. I bought within my means and can still honor the original payments I agreed to when I bought the house, but if the taxes go any higher, I will probably have to walk away from the property.Healy and the City Council should all be drawn and quartered for doing this to people in Jersey City.